Update: I was unfortunately not aware of Shamus Young's severe criticism of Fallout 3 available here to link in the original piece and I regret that. It dovetails rather nicely with what I've written and it's much better executed than my piece. I strongly recommend anyone...

Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals Screenshots

BURBANK, Calif. — (March 19, 2008) — Details of the next game in the highly popular anime-inspired, sci-fi action/role playing game series Spectrobes have been uncovered. Disney Interactive Studios today announced the name of Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, the sequel to Spectrobes, which shipped more than 1 million units worldwide and was the best-selling third-party Nintendo DS game of 2007 in North America.

Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals for Nintendo DS continues the story of Rallen and Jeena, interplanetary patrol officers who discover, excavate, awaken and train mysterious fossilized creatures known as Spectrobes and then use them to battle enemies. The story surrounds the origins of mysterious portals that lead to distant dimensions.

Developed by Kyoto, Japan-based Jupiter Corp., the studio behind Spectrobes, Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals has a wealth of new features, including an entirely new story; a new three-dimensional perspective; a map to assist with exploration; new excavation and battle features; more creatures; and the debut of an online battle system utilizing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals also includes DGamer, Disney Interactive Studios' innovative new technology that provides a fun, connected online game community for Disney video game fans. Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals is currently planned for a Fall 2008 release.

"Spectrobes has become an international sensation," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "By continuing to build on its enthralling story, unique gameplay features and memorable characters, Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals will continue to thrill fans. This second game is part of our plan to expand the series in the coming years."

The game is being overseen by Disney Interactive Studios' Tokyo office.

"With Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, we're working with Jupiter Corp. again and ensuring the series adheres to its defining features while capturing new elements of anime style and storytelling," said Kentaro Hisai, producer, Disney Interactive Studios, based in Tokyo. "Spectrobes was a major success last year and we look forward to continuing the series."

In Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, players can take on the role of either Rallen or, for the first time, Jeena. Jeena uses her research and technological skills so the duo can solve puzzles and complete their missions.

With the game's inclusion of DGamer, players can customize a unique 3D avatar, earn exclusive Disney content, interact and chat with their friends via their Nintendo DS using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or on a computer through the Disney.com website. DGamer is the first online community developed exclusively for Disney Gamers and will be offered in North America in Nintendo DS games from Disney Interactive Studios with a future launch scheduled in other global regions.

For more information about Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, log on to www.spectrobes.com/beyondtheportals.

About Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California and has five internal game development studios around the world including Avalanche Software, Fall Line Studio, Propaganda Games, Black Rock Studio and Junction Point Studios.

Content on this page comes directly from press releases and fact sheets provided by publishers and developers and was not written by the Game Revolution staff.